# Historical Conflict Over Ayasofya

- Original post: https://www.twitter.com/i/status/2118026007575716083
- Source account: [@parasizceo1](https://x.com/parasizceo1)
- Source language: Turkish
- Target language: English
- Duration: 1:15
- Published: 2026-11-05
- Machine translated. Check the original before quoting.
- Canonical URL: https://preview.translate.mom/transcript/7Er5HPydrWdm/transcript-of-historical-conflict-over-ayasofya

## Transcript

[0:00](https://preview.translate.mom/transcript/7Er5HPydrWdm/transcript-of-historical-conflict-over-ayasofya) The Hagia Sophia controversy has a history of nearly a century.

[0:06](https://preview.translate.mom/transcript/7Er5HPydrWdm/transcript-of-historical-conflict-over-ayasofya?t=6) Even during the occupation of Anatolia and Istanbul, there were debates about turning Hagia Sophia into a church.

[0:14](https://preview.translate.mom/transcript/7Er5HPydrWdm/transcript-of-historical-conflict-over-ayasofya?t=14) As the first step toward this intention, a fully armed occupation force arrives at Hagia Sophia's doors.

[0:22](https://preview.translate.mom/transcript/7Er5HPydrWdm/transcript-of-historical-conflict-over-ayasofya?t=22) The French commander leading the force tells the Ottoman officer stationed at Hagia Sophia that they will take up residence there, and that the Turkish soldiers must vacate the mosque for this to happen.

[0:37](https://preview.translate.mom/transcript/7Er5HPydrWdm/transcript-of-historical-conflict-over-ayasofya?t=37) Major Tevfik Bey, defending Hagia Sophia with his soldiers, gives them this reply: “You cannot enter here, and you never will.

[0:48](https://preview.translate.mom/transcript/7Er5HPydrWdm/transcript-of-historical-conflict-over-ayasofya?t=48) Because this is our place of worship. If you attempt to force your way in, these heavy machine guns will be the first to answer you, and then the demolition charges we have placed in the mosque's four corners will answer you.”

[1:07](https://preview.translate.mom/transcript/7Er5HPydrWdm/transcript-of-historical-conflict-over-ayasofya?t=67) If you're willing to risk having Hagia Sophia collapse on you, go ahead and try to get in.